Concise Current Affairs Recap: 29 January 2016

Scientists in Brazil believe that Zika virus may have already crossed over to the common mosquito, dramatically increasing the risk of it spreading worldwide. Until now, it was thought the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is confined to the tropics, was solely spreading the virus.

2-Indian, Chinese Army Kick Off Anti-Terrorism Exercise

Image via expresstv.in

Indian and Chinese armies today kicked off their fifth annual anti-terrorism exercise in China’s Kunming. Both sides seek to share their successful experiences in counter-terrorism operations during the 10-day drill. For the first time India fielded troops from Naga Regiment to take part in the exercises.

3-France to partner ISRO in Mars mission

Image via telegraph.co.uk

France will partner India in its next Mars mission which ISRO plans to launch in 2018. French space agency, CNES has signed a letter of intent with the ISRO for French participation in the next Mars mission.

4-For the first time ever, bank of Japan adopts negative interest rate policy

Image via sputniknews.com

Buckling under pressure to revive growth, the Bank of Japan has adopted negative interest rates for the first time. Central banks in Europe have already slashed interest rates below zero to push down borrowing costs.

5-Sania Mirza, Martina Hingis won 2016 Australian Open women’s doubles tennis title

Image Source: AP

Sania Mirza and her Swiss partner Martina Hingis on has won the 2016 Australian Open title of tennis in the women’s doubles category. This was their 36th joined title.

6-SpaceX tests parachutes that will return humans

SpaceX has test parachutes that will bring astronauts back to the Earth. The drop test, performed in Arizona, involved four large parachutes that were carried thousands of feet above the ground on a C-130 cargo aircraft.

First-of-its’s-kind in the world, the Customs Department has launched a mobile app named ‘Indian Customs-Guide to Travellers’ to inform people about the Custom rules. The app contains customs baggage rules and entitlements of passengers coming from various countries.

8-India successfully test fires Akash missile

Indigenously developed surface-to-air missile Akash was successfully test fired by Indian Air Force from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha.

9-Japan unveils first stealth fighter jet

X-2 image via youtube

Japan unveiled its first radar-dodging stealth fighter jet named X-2. Its first flight is scheduled in mid-February before delivery to the defence ministry.

10- The Supreme Court asks government to form panel for nurses’ problems

Image via awazedost.com

The Supreme Court has asked the government to set up an expert committee within four weeks to probe into the complaints related to the working conditions of nurses in private hospitals and nursing homes in the country.